Church of St Mary of the Angels
Encyclopedia
The Church of St Mary of the Angels is a Roman Catholic church in Singapore
. It is located at Bukit Batok East Avenue 2 in the Bukit Batok Planning Area, within the West Region
of Singapore.
and across Southeast Asia, and Singapore had been in a state of Emergency since 1948. Singapore was considered a strategic hub.
As a result of dialogue between Rome
, the leaders of the local Church, and Franciscans in Italy, America and Hong Kong, an international group of Franciscan Friars
were brought to Singapore in 1957 to establish a Sociological Institute for outreach, research and publication of documents in the effort to counter communism in the region. Almost immediately, the Order would also engage in pastoral works, and involve themselves in works of teaching, retreats, spiritual direction, and preaching in Singapore as well as in Malaysia.
The first friars stayed at what was then known as the Bishops’ Palace on Victoria Street
, and later, they moved to Bukit Timah
, where they stayed at Boys’ Town before obtaining their own property on this present hill.
On August 26, 1958, Archbishop
Michel Olçomendy, metropolitan see of Archdiocese of Malacca-Singapore
officially declared the presence and ministry of the Franciscan Friars (Order of Friars Minor) at what was then Jurong Road, Mile 8 ¾. Nine days earlier, he had blessed the foundation stone for the new building complex for the friars.
Within 2 months, Rome
would issue a formal decree on the canonical establishment of this new community.
As a part of their ministry to the Chinese-educated community, the first friars established a chaplaincy at Nanyang University
, or Nantah. Today, this is Nanyang Technological University
, which includes the National Institute of Education
, and it continues to be served by the friars.
Over the years, a steady congregation would build up at the small public chapel next to St Anthony Friary. By 1970, after the friars moved the Sociological Institute to Taiwan, the friars’ chapel was turned into a parish church in a contract with Archbishop
Olçomendy , the Metropolitan Archbishop of Malacca-Singapore
. A year later, it was formally given the name, the Church of St Mary of the Angels, and plans were announced that it would be extended by 29 feet to accommodate the growing number of parishioners.
By now, the first Australian friars came to serve in Singapore.
In 1985, the Church of St Mary of the Angels was extended a second time due to the increase of parishioners resulting from the new blocks of HDB flats in the new township of Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak
area.
The existing Parish hall and canteen, built in 1974, was greatly renovated, and in 1991, the new St Clare Centre would also include a Parish Office, library, Sunday school classrooms and a kindergarten.
By 1998, with the building of high-rise housing estates all around the church, the number of parishioners had tripled. It became clear once again that the church was woefully inadequate to meet the needs of parishioners. Apart from the overcrowding and parking problems, there was also an urgent need for major structural repairs in both the church building and the 40 year old friary. A decision was taken to redevelop the site.
The new church was completed in September 2003 and on 2nd February 2004, Archbishop
Nicholas Chia led parishioners in dedicating the church to the Lord’s service.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. It is located at Bukit Batok East Avenue 2 in the Bukit Batok Planning Area, within the West Region
West Region, Singapore
The West Region of Singapore is one of the five regions in the city-state. Comprising 25,500 hectares of land area, it is the largest of all regions, it includes twelve urban planning areas and has at least a population of over 1 million. As its name implies, it is the westernmost region of Singapore...
of Singapore.
History
On 28 March 1957, Franciscan Friar Vergil Mannion OFM stepped off the ship Peleus II, landing on Singapore soil. Singapore in the 1950’s was a very different world from Singapore today. It was still a British colony, even though a limited self-government had been granted in 1955. Fishing and agriculture was very much a way of life, and poverty and illiteracy were widespread. Chinese communist ideology and guerrilla activity had swept through IndochinaIndochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
and across Southeast Asia, and Singapore had been in a state of Emergency since 1948. Singapore was considered a strategic hub.
As a result of dialogue between Rome
Diocese of Rome
The Diocese of Rome is a diocese of the Catholic Church in Rome, Italy. The bishop of Rome is the Pope, who is the Supreme Pontiff and leader of the Catholic Church...
, the leaders of the local Church, and Franciscans in Italy, America and Hong Kong, an international group of Franciscan Friars
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
were brought to Singapore in 1957 to establish a Sociological Institute for outreach, research and publication of documents in the effort to counter communism in the region. Almost immediately, the Order would also engage in pastoral works, and involve themselves in works of teaching, retreats, spiritual direction, and preaching in Singapore as well as in Malaysia.
The first friars stayed at what was then known as the Bishops’ Palace on Victoria Street
Victoria Street, Singapore
Victoria Street [Tamil]: விக்டோரியா ஸ்திரீட் is a street located in the Central Area of Singapore. The street starts at Victoria Bridge at the end of Kallang Road, after the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority building, in the north and continues as Hill Street at its junction with Stamford Road...
, and later, they moved to Bukit Timah
Bukit Timah
Bukit Timah is an area in Singapore and a hill in that area. Bukit Timah is located near the centre of the Singapore main island. The hill stands at an altitude of 163.63 metres and is the highest point in the city-state of Singapore...
, where they stayed at Boys’ Town before obtaining their own property on this present hill.
On August 26, 1958, Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Michel Olçomendy, metropolitan see of Archdiocese of Malacca-Singapore
Archdiocese of Malacca-Singapore
The Archdiocese of Malacca-Singapore was an archdiocese in Malaysia and Singapore.-History:It was established as the , and elevated to Archdiocese level in 1953....
officially declared the presence and ministry of the Franciscan Friars (Order of Friars Minor) at what was then Jurong Road, Mile 8 ¾. Nine days earlier, he had blessed the foundation stone for the new building complex for the friars.
Within 2 months, Rome
Diocese of Rome
The Diocese of Rome is a diocese of the Catholic Church in Rome, Italy. The bishop of Rome is the Pope, who is the Supreme Pontiff and leader of the Catholic Church...
would issue a formal decree on the canonical establishment of this new community.
As a part of their ministry to the Chinese-educated community, the first friars established a chaplaincy at Nanyang University
Nanyang University
Nanyang University was a university in Singapore from 1956 to 1980. During its existence, it was Singapore's only Chinese language post-secondary institution...
, or Nantah. Today, this is Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University is one of the two largest public universities in Singapore with the biggest campus in Singapore and the world's largest engineering college. Its lush 200-hectare Yunnan Garden campus was the Youth Olympic Village of the world's first 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in...
, which includes the National Institute of Education
National Institute of Education
The is an institute of the , Singapore.NIE, Singapore, provides all levels of teacher education, from programmes to for in-service teachers and executive for Principals, Departmental Heads and other school leaders. NIE also administers postgraduate programmes that lead to the award of in...
, and it continues to be served by the friars.
Over the years, a steady congregation would build up at the small public chapel next to St Anthony Friary. By 1970, after the friars moved the Sociological Institute to Taiwan, the friars’ chapel was turned into a parish church in a contract with Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Olçomendy , the Metropolitan Archbishop of Malacca-Singapore
Archdiocese of Malacca-Singapore
The Archdiocese of Malacca-Singapore was an archdiocese in Malaysia and Singapore.-History:It was established as the , and elevated to Archdiocese level in 1953....
. A year later, it was formally given the name, the Church of St Mary of the Angels, and plans were announced that it would be extended by 29 feet to accommodate the growing number of parishioners.
By now, the first Australian friars came to serve in Singapore.
In 1985, the Church of St Mary of the Angels was extended a second time due to the increase of parishioners resulting from the new blocks of HDB flats in the new township of Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak
Bukit Gombak
Bukit Gombak is a neighbourhood in the west-central area of the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore. In the Malay language, bukit means hill and gombak a bunch or collection of something....
area.
The existing Parish hall and canteen, built in 1974, was greatly renovated, and in 1991, the new St Clare Centre would also include a Parish Office, library, Sunday school classrooms and a kindergarten.
By 1998, with the building of high-rise housing estates all around the church, the number of parishioners had tripled. It became clear once again that the church was woefully inadequate to meet the needs of parishioners. Apart from the overcrowding and parking problems, there was also an urgent need for major structural repairs in both the church building and the 40 year old friary. A decision was taken to redevelop the site.
The new church was completed in September 2003 and on 2nd February 2004, Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Nicholas Chia led parishioners in dedicating the church to the Lord’s service.
See also
- Christianity in SingaporeChristianity in SingaporeChristians in Singapore constitute approximately 17.5% of the population. In the 2000 Census, 4.8% of residents aged 15 years and older, identified as Catholic and 9.8% as 'Other Christians'.-History:...
- Roman Catholicism in SingaporeRoman Catholicism in SingaporeRoman Catholicism is practiced by about 4.6% of Singapore's populace, or about 210,000 people. Roman Catholicism is practiced by people of Chinese and Eurasian descent, along with a Filipino, Indian and European minority.- History :...
- Archdiocese of Singapore
- List of Roman Catholic churches in Singapore
- List of St. Mary of the Angels Churches across the Holy SeeSt. Mary of the AngelsSt. Mary of the Angels may refer to one of several Roman Catholic churches:Australia* St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, formerly known as St. Mary's Church, is a basilica in Geelong, Victoria, AustraliaItaly...
External links
- Order of Friars Minor | Custody of St. Anthony (Malaysia - Singapore - Brunei)
- Franciscan Missionaries of Mary
- Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal World
- Singapore Catholic Church Directory
- Church of St Mary of the Angels Website
- History | S.M.O.T.A Website
- Facebook page of Church of St Mary of the Angels
- SMOTA on Flicker
- Architectural Record Building Types Study | Church of St Mary of the Angels